New Delhi: Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic has been crowned the 73rd Miss World, bringing the Miss World 75th anniversary celebrations to a close in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
The 24-year-old educator, journalist and community advocate won the title during the grand finale held on September 5 at 2 April Square. She received the crown from Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, the 72nd Miss World.
Elisabeth Reynés of Spain was named the first runner-up, while Taanusiya Chetty of Malaysia finished as the second runner-up, according to missworld.com.
India’s Miss World 2026 journey came to an end, with Nikita Porwal bowing out after reaching the Top 40.
The Femina Miss India World 2024 winner could not secure a place among the Top 20 during the grand finale.
Mola’s victory gives the Dominican Republic its second Miss World title. It comes 44 years after Mariasela Álvarez became the first woman from the country to win the crown in 1982.
The finale was held on a massive open-air stage built beside the sea in the heart of Nha Trang. The structure stretched for more than 110 metres across the city’s iconic 2 April Square and featured large LED screens, advanced lighting, sound and laser technology.
Thousands of spectators gathered around the square as the illuminated coastline provided the setting for the international broadcast.
The finale marked the conclusion of a four-week Miss World festival that began in northern Vietnam before moving to Nha Trang. The event was also significant as Vietnam hosted Miss World for the first time.
The competition began with 111 national ambassadors before the field was narrowed to the Top 40. The quarterfinalists were selected through Miss World challenge events, the People’s Choice vote, and the judges’ assessment of contestants during the festival.
Ten contestants from each continental region advanced to the Top 40.
The competition also saw historic first-time appearances in the advanced stages for French Guiana, Eritrea, Malawi, Mozambique, Senegal and Cambodia.
The Top 40 included continental winners from Beauty With a Purpose, Multimedia, Head-to-Head, Top Model and People’s Choice. Winners of the Sports and Talent challenges also secured places, alongside contestants selected by the judging panel.
Beyond the pageant stage, Mola’s background in education and community work became a key part of her Miss World journey.
A graduate in Business Management and Administration from Universidad Iberoamericana, Mola works as an educator and communicator. She teaches Literature and Social Studies in English.
She is also the founder and president of Voices of Tomorrow, through which she works to expand access to English education for children and young people in vulnerable communities.
Her work focuses on encouraging critical thinking, self-expression and personal development.
Mola’s win therefore adds a new chapter to the Dominican Republic’s Miss World history while highlighting the competition’s emphasis on service, education and community initiatives.
The 73rd Miss World finale also brought the organisation’s 75th anniversary celebrations to a memorable close, with the event centred on friendship, service, cultural exchange and the Beauty With a Purpose programme.
